Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-05-06
SOME EsTEY AGENTS.

Among the honored guests at the golden
wedding celebration was Mr.. George q.
SAKE, of the firm Of SAKE x Robinson, New
York, who has probably had more to do
than any other agent with establishing the
reputation and sale of the Estey goods out
side the circle of their home influence His
territory has covered the states of New
York and Connecticut, with portions Of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and for al
most p years he and his partner have been
staunch supporters Of the Estey interest.
Long ago they grew prosperous in the sale
of the company's instruments. Mr.. SAKE
had his origin in Vermont, his father and
| the father of the late John G. SAKE being
brothers. He was a minister by profession,
hut the failure of his voice compelled him
to seek other means of support He had
wide acquaintance in the Methodist churches
and Sunday schools and he conceived the
| idea of furnishing b. them the instruments
| which they needed in their worship and
other exercises In 1869 he sent to Mr. Is
tey and bought single organ, and from
| that time he went on with the business in
small way. Previously there had been a
| few local agents in this state-at ST. Johns
| bury, Jericho and Shelburne-but Mr..
| SaXe's agency was the first u he establish
eel III a great business centre In 1866
James H. Robertson a musician of talent,
and brother of the late Bishop Robertson
| of Missouri, became associated with Mr.
| SAKE. At that Time the organs were all
easel ia ugly square boxes. and the home
firm had adopted few means for the adver-
Using and sale of their goods Mr. SAKE re
calls with amusement how, in 1866 the
New York trade began to call for a more,
ornamental article and he wrote for "a sin
gle organ with a high top Of the style al
trrWard known As the "bundOir.' The firm
we're doubtful about the Innovation, hut
they finally agreed To- make the trial if Mr.
SAKE would take six instruments of the
new style. 1t was great strain on his
slender capital, hut he made the venture
and IT was success. though he got only
four of the organs because other agents
saw them and wanted them From that
time ON the styles steadily improved and the
success of the business was assured
Mr.. SAKE first chose the Estey instru-
ments because of their rare quality of tone
and perfection of touch, and time has on
ly improved his good opinion of them The
firm of SAKE x Robinson, handling no 9th
er goods, have sold ON AN average 1900 To
SOOO Estey organs year, as wholesale
agents, and they now have the agency for
the Estey pianos in their territory.
Another guest who felt great satisfaction
IN the golden wedding celebration was f.
NJ. Bruce of Philadelphia, who has spent
more years in the service of the Estey
company us their agent than any other
man. lie began 10 sell the Estey goods i'm
1909 in the west, and has had no other
business since. For many years he has
been located in Philadelphia in charge OF
the company's interests there. He is a ma
tive of Wilmington and has had all the
good traditions of that excellent town e
help HIM to make life success He still
carries gold watch of English make
which he took at Galesburg ILL.,, in the
days of the memorable Lincoln Douglas.
debate IN exchange for an Estey melodeun
The mention of this fact the other day
e brought out the kindred fact that Dea rs
tey carries for his pocket timepiece a moi
over prepossessing looking watch which
; very early in ms career as an organ maker
an agent took and brought in TO him on al
y exchange for an instrument. II scoldeC
him well for doing it," the Deacon saws
5 but Just the same We feel sure that he cam,
long ago 20 value the watch more than h,
would the product of the best American
IS watch company of today.
IS II has always been a matter of principl,
3, with the Estey company 10 stand by thei
agents and to give them generous treat
ment IN return for faithful service, fac
Il which all the older agents warmly acknowl
edge and consider the company noteble for